Tom Martin
1955-2017

Chief Tom O. Martin

Black Eagle — Chief Tom O. "Tommy" Martin, 61, of Black Eagle, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Benefis Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017 at the Four Seasons Arena. There will be viewing prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of O'Connor Funeral Home.

Tom was born in Townsend on November 4, 1955, to Leon and June Martin. He graduated from Great Falls High School and attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. 

Tom worked with Fleet Supply, did landscaping, and worked at the refinery before he went to Cascade Electric Co. In Canada he was trained in fiber optic cabling. He had 18 years' experience as a fiber optic cable technician. He was with the Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department (BEVFD) 21 years, and in 2008 was elected Chief. 

Tom loved hunting, fishing, and the fire department. He met his untimely death 19 hours after completing a burn, through the BEVFD.

On September 26, 2011, he married Linda Marie Szklanka-Martin from Pennsylvania who has survived him. He is also survived by brother Tim Martin; sister Sheila Kimmel; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, a great-great niece and a great-great nephew. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jess Enright.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Tom's name to Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 533, Black Eagle, MT, 59414.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at OConnorFuneralHome.com.